Bimini is tiny. It’s basically two strips of land, North and South Bimini, sitting right on the edge of the Gulf Stream where the water turns that impossible shade of electric sapphire. If you’ve ever looked at a map and wondered why a speck of land 50 miles off Miami matters so much, you have to look at the Bimini Big Game Club Resort. It isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a relic that somehow stayed relevant.
People come here for the ghosts. Not the spooky kind, but the legends. Ernest Hemingway used to haunt these docks. He wasn't just here for the rum; he was here because the "river" in the ocean—the Gulf Stream—pushes massive marlin and tuna right past the front door. Today, the resort serves as the unofficial headquarters for anyone who takes offshore fishing seriously. It’s gritty but polished. It’s expensive but worth it if you’re the type who cares more about the weight of a wahoo than the thread count of your sheets, though the sheets are actually pretty nice now.
The Real Story Behind the Bimini Big Game Club Resort
You have to understand the geography to get why this place works. Alice Town is the heart of North Bimini, and the Big Game Club is its pulse. Originally opened in the 1930s and later moved to its current spot in 1954 by Neville Stuart, the club was designed as a private playground. It was where the wealthy came to prove they could handle a rod and reel. It’s undergone massive renovations since the 2010s, but it hasn't lost that "out island" soul that many Caribbean resorts trade for sterile marble lobbies.
The marina is the centerpiece. Honestly, the rooms are great, but the 75-slip marina is where the action happens. You’ll see multi-million dollar Viking yachts tied up next to salty center consoles that look like they’ve seen a few hurricanes. It’s a democratic space in a weird way. Everyone is there for the same thing: the blue water. If you walk the docks at sunset, you’ll see the catch of the day being cleaned. The smell of salt, diesel, and fresh conch is everywhere. It’s intoxicating if you’re into that sort of thing.
Why the Location Is a Tactical Advantage
Most people think of the Bahamas as one big sandy blob. Bimini is different. Because it’s so close to the Florida coast, it’s the first stop for boaters crossing the "Stream." The Bimini Big Game Club Resort sits perfectly on the protected harbor side, meaning even when the Atlantic is angry, your boat is tucked away safely.
Fishing here isn't just a hobby; it’s an obsession.
The drop-off is just offshore. You go from 80 feet of water to 2,000 feet in the blink of an eye. That’s where the monsters live. In the winter, it’s all about the wahoo. These fish are basically swimming torpedoes that can hit 60 miles per hour. In the spring and summer, the focus shifts to blue marlin and yellowfin tuna. The resort hosts a rotating door of tournaments, like the Wahoo Smackdown, which brings in some of the most competitive anglers in the hemisphere. It gets loud. It gets competitive. It’s basically the Super Bowl of the flats and the deep.
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What It’s Actually Like to Stay There
Let’s be real: if you want a mega-resort with 15 waterslides and a casino, go to Nassau. You’ll be miserable here. Bimini Big Game Club Resort is for people who want to breathe. The vibe is "Bimini Bliss," which is a fancy way of saying nobody is in a rush.
The accommodations are split between standard rooms, suites, and cottages. The cottages are the way to go if you have a group. They’re colorful, tucked into the tropical foliage, and feel more like a private home than a hotel. Inside, the decor is nautical but not cheesy. Think clean lines, blue accents, and plenty of space to dump your dive gear.
- The Pool: It’s a freshwater oasis in the middle of the property. Usually, it’s pretty quiet during the day because everyone is out on the water.
- The Food: Sharkies Bar & Grill is the go-to. It’s right on the water. You can watch the sharks (actual lemon sharks and nurse sharks) swim around the lighted docks while you eat fried conch fritters.
- The Hemingway Rum Bar: This is where the stories happen. It’s dark, cool, and filled with memorabilia. You half expect Papa Hemingway to walk in and demand a double.
The service is authentically Bahamian. This means it might take a minute to get your drink, but the person serving it will probably tell you the best spot to find bonefish on the flats if you’re nice to them. It’s about the connection, not the speed.
Diving the Sapona and Beyond
Fishing gets the headlines, but the diving here is world-class. The Big Game Club has a full-service dive shop on-site (Bimini Undersea). They know the reefs better than anyone.
The SS Sapona is the big draw. It’s a concrete ship that wrecked during a hurricane in 1926. It sits in about 15 feet of water, so even if you’re just snorkeling, you can see everything. It was used for rum-running during Prohibition and later as a target for bombing practice in WWII. Now, it’s a massive artificial reef filled with parrotfish, grunts, and the occasional reef shark. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
Then there’s the Bimini Road. Some people swear it’s a path to the lost city of Atlantis. Geologists say it’s just "beach rock" that fractured into perfect squares. Honestly? It doesn't matter what it is. Diving it feels like exploring an underwater highway. It’s eerie and fascinating.
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Hammerhead Season: Not for the Faint of Heart
From December to March, the Great Hammerheads show up. These aren't your average sharks. They are massive, with dorsal fins that look like sails. The Bimini Big Game Club Resort is one of the few places in the world that serves as a base for these specific dives. It’s a "pinnacle" experience for divers. You’re on the sandy bottom, and these giants glide inches away from your mask. It’s safe, regulated, and absolutely terrifying in the best possible way.
Logistics: Getting to Alice Town
This is where people get tripped up. You have options, but they require a bit of planning.
- Seaplane: This is the coolest way to arrive. Tropic Ocean Airways flies out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami. You land right in the water. No long lines, no TSA headaches. You’re at the bar 20 minutes after landing.
- The Ferry: The Balearia Caribbean runs from Fort Lauderdale. It’s a big, fast boat. It’s cheaper than flying but takes a few hours.
- Your Own Boat: If you’re crossing the Stream, make sure you have your paperwork in order. The resort is an official Port of Entry, so you can clear customs and immigration right there. It’s incredibly convenient.
Managing Your Expectations
Bimini is an island. Things break. Sometimes the power flickers during a storm. Sometimes the grocery store is low on milk because the supply boat was delayed. If you can’t handle that, you won't like the Big Game Club.
But if you like the idea of waking up to the sound of humming outboard engines and seeing the sun rise over the bonefish flats, you’ll never want to leave. There is a specific kind of silence in Bimini at night that you just don't get in Florida. It’s deep.
The resort isn't trying to be a five-star luxury enclave. It’s trying to be a legendary fishing lodge that happens to have great air conditioning and a pool. It succeeds because it knows what it is. It doesn't try to be everything to everyone.
Actionable Tips for Your First Trip
If you're planning a visit to the Bimini Big Game Club Resort, don't just wing it. The island is small, and resources are limited.
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Book your golf cart in advance. You don't need a car in Alice Town; you need a cart. The resort can arrange it, but they sell out during peak fishing tournaments. Having your own wheels lets you explore the "King’s Highway" and find the hidden conch shacks at the north end of the island.
Bring your own gear if you're serious. While the resort has rental equipment for diving and fishing, if you have a lucky rod or a mask that fits perfectly, bring it. The onsite shop is great for essentials, but specialized gear is hard to find on the island.
Eat at Joe's Conch Shack. It's a short walk or cart ride from the resort. Watch them pull the conch straight from the water and prep it right in front of you. Get the "scorch" salad. It's spicy, fresh, and basically the flavor of Bimini in a bowl.
Check the tournament calendar. If you want peace and quiet, avoid the weeks when the major fishing tournaments are in town. The marina will be packed, and the bar will be loud. If you want a party and the chance to see world-record fish, those are exactly the weeks you should book.
Respect the water. The currents around Bimini are no joke. Whether you're swimming off Radio Beach or taking a boat out to the Sapona, always check the tides and weather. The Gulf Stream is a powerful force, and it commands respect even on a sunny day.
Bimini is a place that stays with you. You’ll find yourself back at work, staring at a computer screen, and suddenly you’ll smell the salt air and hear the clinking of rigging against a mast. That’s the "Bimini Tug." The Big Game Club is the anchor that holds it all together.